In 2018, Aneesh Chaganty's "Searching" changed the mystery movie game by popularizing the "screen life" thriller, framing its action and ample surprises squarely within the confines of a computer screen. The film followed David (John Cho), a widower on the hunt for his missing teen daughter Margot (Michelle La), and it proved to be a surprise box office hit thanks to its novel concept and a great performance by Cho. With a $75 million box office haul against a shoestring budget, a follow-up film seemed like a no-brainer. That's where "Missing" comes in.
Released in spring 2023, "Missing" doesn't actually have much in common with "Searching" aside from an excellent lead actor, some producers and crew members, and a story about a missing family member. The movie is a standalone sequel, meaning it makes total sense even if you never saw "Searching." But "Missing" is anything but simple; with countless twists and...
Released in spring 2023, "Missing" doesn't actually have much in common with "Searching" aside from an excellent lead actor, some producers and crew members, and a story about a missing family member. The movie is a standalone sequel, meaning it makes total sense even if you never saw "Searching." But "Missing" is anything but simple; with countless twists and...
- 10/8/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Aneesh Chaganty's "Searching," was a truly inventive thriller, depicting a father's search for his missing daughter as played out entirely in the digital space. In the 2018 film, John Cho's David Kim doggedly tracks down his missing daughter Margot (Michelle La) in an intense scramble across websites, phone videos, security cameras, and virtual desktops. The Chaganty-helmed project was a minor hit, and a messier but just as thrilling anthology sequel, "Missing," arrived earlier this year.
Directed by "Searching" editors Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, "Missing," carries on the central conceit of someone desperately looking for a lost relative via digital means. In the film, Storm Reid's June searches for her missing mother (Nia Long) who disappears on a trip to Colombia. And just as some viewers noticed a whole alien invasion narrative playing out as an easter egg in "Searching," "Missing" appears to be telling a whole superhero origin story in secret.
Directed by "Searching" editors Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, "Missing," carries on the central conceit of someone desperately looking for a lost relative via digital means. In the film, Storm Reid's June searches for her missing mother (Nia Long) who disappears on a trip to Colombia. And just as some viewers noticed a whole alien invasion narrative playing out as an easter egg in "Searching," "Missing" appears to be telling a whole superhero origin story in secret.
- 3/26/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
There’s not much missing from Storm Reid’s resume. The star of “Missing” is celebrating 11 years since her Hollywood debut, a decade since starring in Oscar winner “12 Years a Slave” and founding her own production company A Seed & Wings with her mother Robyn Simpson, and is marking another season on HBO’s Emmy-winning series “Euphoria.” On top of all that, Reid is finishing up her sophomore year at the University of Southern California. She is, after all, just 19.
So chalk up the rising star’s busy schedule for keeping her from seeing “Searching,” which starred John Cho as a father trying to find his missing daughter (Michelle La) with the help of a detective (Debra Messing), before she took on lead the role in its standalone sequel, “Missing.”
“I actually had no idea about ‘Searching’ before ‘Missing’ came to my plate, but I fell in love with the script while reading it.
So chalk up the rising star’s busy schedule for keeping her from seeing “Searching,” which starred John Cho as a father trying to find his missing daughter (Michelle La) with the help of a detective (Debra Messing), before she took on lead the role in its standalone sequel, “Missing.”
“I actually had no idea about ‘Searching’ before ‘Missing’ came to my plate, but I fell in love with the script while reading it.
- 1/18/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
In 2018, John Cho played a father who went to great lengths to find his missing daughter, Margot (Michelle La) in the sleeper hit film "Searching." Now, a new screenlife thriller is set to unfold, as the second film in the franchise, "Missing," has just dropped its first trailer.
Aneesh Chaganty made "Searching" in his feature film debut, and he's handing the reins over to another pair of first-time filmmakers, Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, for a sequel that will feature an all-new cast of characters. Chaganty teased the teaser on Instagram yesterday, posting an Instagram story that included a series of search engine entries including "Find missing person," "#FindGraceAllen," and "FBI Colombia???" You can start guessing where Grace Allen went now with the first trailer linked below:
A Brand New Screenlife Thriller
Storm Reid, Nia Long, and Joaquim de Almeida are set to star in "Missing," a thriller that is...
Aneesh Chaganty made "Searching" in his feature film debut, and he's handing the reins over to another pair of first-time filmmakers, Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, for a sequel that will feature an all-new cast of characters. Chaganty teased the teaser on Instagram yesterday, posting an Instagram story that included a series of search engine entries including "Find missing person," "#FindGraceAllen," and "FBI Colombia???" You can start guessing where Grace Allen went now with the first trailer linked below:
A Brand New Screenlife Thriller
Storm Reid, Nia Long, and Joaquim de Almeida are set to star in "Missing," a thriller that is...
- 11/16/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Today we are recognizing Searching, as well as its star John Cho. Our Hollywood Film Tributes recognize films and talent for their excellence in the art of filmmaking. Whenever a genre film goes above and beyond, it’s worth making a big deal about it. Searching is just such a movie. Emotional and riveting, it also happens to feature a tremendous turn from John Cho, who’s almost doing a one man show. It’s so good, so fulfilling, and so surprising, it really did deserve to receive even more attention than it did. Today, we get to rectify that… Here is a bit from our rave review that went up in the summer, specifically in August: The film is a thriller, one with a well executed high concept, to boot. This is the plot synopsis from IMDb: “After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a...
- 2/15/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Stars: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La, Sara Sohn | Written by Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian | Directed by Aneesh Chaganty
John Cho stars in this inventively told missing person mystery that plays out entirely on computer screens. The result is a gripping and surprisingly moving thriller that shines an uncomfortable light on modern day digital interaction.
Produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Searching opens with an efficient and powerfully emotional montage sequence that rivals the opening of Pixar’s Up. Through a series of messages, videos and calendar appointments on a computer screen, we see various milestones in the life of the Kim family, including the birth of baby Margot (played as a teenager by Michelle La) and mother Pam (Sara Sohm) being diagnosed with, and succumbing to a terminal case of lymphoma, leaving husband David (Cho) utterly distraught.
It quickly becomes clear that we’re seeing everything through David’s computer,...
John Cho stars in this inventively told missing person mystery that plays out entirely on computer screens. The result is a gripping and surprisingly moving thriller that shines an uncomfortable light on modern day digital interaction.
Produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Searching opens with an efficient and powerfully emotional montage sequence that rivals the opening of Pixar’s Up. Through a series of messages, videos and calendar appointments on a computer screen, we see various milestones in the life of the Kim family, including the birth of baby Margot (played as a teenager by Michelle La) and mother Pam (Sara Sohm) being diagnosed with, and succumbing to a terminal case of lymphoma, leaving husband David (Cho) utterly distraught.
It quickly becomes clear that we’re seeing everything through David’s computer,...
- 1/7/2019
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Our resident VOD expert tells you what's new to rent and/or own this week via various Digital HD providers such as cable Movies On Demand, FandangoNOW, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play and, of course, Netflix. Cable Movies On Demand: Same-day-as-disc releases, older titles and pretheatrical Searching The Little Stranger Digital HD: Rent from $4-$7 or own from $13-$20 (HD may cost more than Sd). Check with your favorite Digital HD provider to see if the same movies listed above on cable Mod are also available) FandangoNOW The House with a Clock in Its Walls (fantasy...
- 11/27/2018
- by Robert B. DeSalvo
- Movies.com
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’re highlighting the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and an archive of past round-ups here.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Joel and Ethan Coen)
Scruggs is, of course, the latest work from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, and represents a ravishing if wildly uneven addition to their catalogue. It also marks their first foray into the odd waters of the portmanteau subgenre, which is perhaps a little surprising when considering the duo’s dexterity with so many cinematic modes, not to mention their signature ability to switch between such a wide range of serious and farcical tones. – Rory O. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix
Cam (Daniel Goldhaber)
There’s a moment in director Daniel Goldhaber’s Cam where Alice (Madeline Brewer...
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Joel and Ethan Coen)
Scruggs is, of course, the latest work from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, and represents a ravishing if wildly uneven addition to their catalogue. It also marks their first foray into the odd waters of the portmanteau subgenre, which is perhaps a little surprising when considering the duo’s dexterity with so many cinematic modes, not to mention their signature ability to switch between such a wide range of serious and farcical tones. – Rory O. (full review)
Where to Stream: Netflix
Cam (Daniel Goldhaber)
There’s a moment in director Daniel Goldhaber’s Cam where Alice (Madeline Brewer...
- 11/16/2018
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
"No one is lost without a trace." We've been excited for Daily Dead readers to see Aneesh Chaganty's new movie Searching since Heather Wixson called it an "innovative, gripping, and tension-fueled thriller" in her four-star review. If you missed Searching in theaters, you can still uncover the movie's mystery, because Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is releasing the John Cho-starring film on Blu-ray and DVD beginning November 27th, following its digital release on November 13th:
Press Release: Culver City, Calif. – Dive deep into the virtual world of social media with a mystery-thriller for the digital age, Searching, debuting on Digital and redeemable via the Movies Anywhere App. on November 13, coming to Blu-ray™ and DVD November 27 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. A unique take on society’s pervasive use of technology, Searching is the feature film debut for writer-director Aneesh Chaganty, and writer-producer Sev Ohanian. Chaganty and Ohanian’s script...
Press Release: Culver City, Calif. – Dive deep into the virtual world of social media with a mystery-thriller for the digital age, Searching, debuting on Digital and redeemable via the Movies Anywhere App. on November 13, coming to Blu-ray™ and DVD November 27 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. A unique take on society’s pervasive use of technology, Searching is the feature film debut for writer-director Aneesh Chaganty, and writer-producer Sev Ohanian. Chaganty and Ohanian’s script...
- 10/25/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Culver City, Calif. – Dive deep into the virtual world of social media with a mystery-thriller for the digital age, Searching, debuting on Digital and redeemable via the Movies Anywhere App. on November 13, coming to Blu-ray and DVD November 27 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. A unique take on society’s pervasive use of technology, Searching is the feature film debut for writer-director Aneesh Chaganty, and writer-producer Sev Ohanian. Chaganty and Ohanian’s script constructs a new form of cinema inspired by the connection between parent and child in the Internet age. Stopping at no lengths to find his missing daughter, a determined father, played by John Cho, explores her social media accounts, emails, pictures, videos and more to aid in the police investigation. Cho is joined by an impressive cast including Emmy Award® winner Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”), Joseph Lee (“NCIS: Los Angeles”) and Michelle La in her feature film debut.
- 10/17/2018
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
August marked a month of firsts for the movie biz.
The traditionally slow period got an unprecedented box office boost when Warner Bros.’ “Crazy Rich Asians,” the first studio movie in a quarter of a century to feature an almost entirely Asian-American cast, delivered the best opening for a romantic comedy in years. To close out the month, Sony-Screen Gems unveiled “Searching,” led by Korean-American actor John Cho and Michelle La. In between, a little gem called “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” set the internet ablaze after Netflix dropped the Ya rom-com starring Vietnamese-American actress Lana Condor.
When the trio of offerings hit both the big and small screen last month, Asian and Asian-American audiences turned out in droves to champion the barrier-breaking phenomenon dubbed #AsianAugust. The organization Cape (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) coined the term and encouraged the community to rally behind the...
The traditionally slow period got an unprecedented box office boost when Warner Bros.’ “Crazy Rich Asians,” the first studio movie in a quarter of a century to feature an almost entirely Asian-American cast, delivered the best opening for a romantic comedy in years. To close out the month, Sony-Screen Gems unveiled “Searching,” led by Korean-American actor John Cho and Michelle La. In between, a little gem called “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” set the internet ablaze after Netflix dropped the Ya rom-com starring Vietnamese-American actress Lana Condor.
When the trio of offerings hit both the big and small screen last month, Asian and Asian-American audiences turned out in droves to champion the barrier-breaking phenomenon dubbed #AsianAugust. The organization Cape (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) coined the term and encouraged the community to rally behind the...
- 9/10/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
A holy opening weekend indeed.
Warner Bros.’ “The Nun” dominated the worldwide box office with $77.5 million in 60 international markets, along with $54.5 million in North America for a massive global start of $131 million. It broke the domestic record for the second-biggest September opening, along with the best debut in the “Conjuring” series.
Mexico saw the biggest opening with $10.7 million on 3,967 screens, followed by Indonesia with $7.7 million in 1,216 locations. Other top markets include Brazil ($6.8 million), India ($5.2 million), the United Kingdom ($5.2 million), and Spain ($3.3 million).
Meanwhile, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” just surpassed $700 million globally, making it the highest grossing installment in the Tom Cruise franchise, not adjusted for inflation. “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” previously held that title with $649.7 million worldwide. “Fallout” earned $38.6 million in 65 international markets, bringing its overseas total to $514.5 million. It has pocketed $726.6 million to date, including $212 million in North America.
The sixth movie in the Ethan Hunt spy series...
Warner Bros.’ “The Nun” dominated the worldwide box office with $77.5 million in 60 international markets, along with $54.5 million in North America for a massive global start of $131 million. It broke the domestic record for the second-biggest September opening, along with the best debut in the “Conjuring” series.
Mexico saw the biggest opening with $10.7 million on 3,967 screens, followed by Indonesia with $7.7 million in 1,216 locations. Other top markets include Brazil ($6.8 million), India ($5.2 million), the United Kingdom ($5.2 million), and Spain ($3.3 million).
Meanwhile, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” just surpassed $700 million globally, making it the highest grossing installment in the Tom Cruise franchise, not adjusted for inflation. “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” previously held that title with $649.7 million worldwide. “Fallout” earned $38.6 million in 65 international markets, bringing its overseas total to $514.5 million. It has pocketed $726.6 million to date, including $212 million in North America.
The sixth movie in the Ethan Hunt spy series...
- 9/9/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Tom Cruise’s latest mission is nowhere near complete.
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” topped the international box office, thanks to a massive $77.3 million opening in China. In total, it generated $89.1 million in 65 international markets this weekend, bringing its overseas tally to $442.7 million. It crossed $200 million in North America for a global total of $649 million.
That ranks as the biggest Middle Kingdom opening for both a “Mission: Impossible” installment and a Cruise movie. The sixth iteration also launched in Italy with $2.7 million in 696 locations, and in Greece with $397,000 in 99 venues. Top holdovers include France ($1.3 million in 47 locations), Japan ($1.3 million on 367 screens), and Germany.
Meanwhile, “Crazy Rich Asians” launched in Australia with $5.4 million for a weekend total of $10.4 million in 24 international territories. That brings its overseas tally to $19.9 million. In North America, the Warner Bros. romantic comedy just crossed $100 million. Other top markets include Singapore ($1.1 million on 47 screens), Philippines, and Malaysia.
Fellow Warner Bros.
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” topped the international box office, thanks to a massive $77.3 million opening in China. In total, it generated $89.1 million in 65 international markets this weekend, bringing its overseas tally to $442.7 million. It crossed $200 million in North America for a global total of $649 million.
That ranks as the biggest Middle Kingdom opening for both a “Mission: Impossible” installment and a Cruise movie. The sixth iteration also launched in Italy with $2.7 million in 696 locations, and in Greece with $397,000 in 99 venues. Top holdovers include France ($1.3 million in 47 locations), Japan ($1.3 million on 367 screens), and Germany.
Meanwhile, “Crazy Rich Asians” launched in Australia with $5.4 million for a weekend total of $10.4 million in 24 international territories. That brings its overseas tally to $19.9 million. In North America, the Warner Bros. romantic comedy just crossed $100 million. Other top markets include Singapore ($1.1 million on 47 screens), Philippines, and Malaysia.
Fellow Warner Bros.
- 9/2/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The summer 2018 box office is officially ending on a high note.
An August surge is thanks partially to “Crazy Rich Asians,” the Warner Bros. romantic comedy that is still doing crazy good business in North America. Jon M. Chu’s film will top the domestic box office for the third week in a row with estimates showing it could make another $27 million to $30 million over Labor Day Weekend. It generated a three-day tally of $22 million in 3,865 locations, dropping just 10% in its third outing and bringing its domestic total to $110 million.
Following “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Black Panther,” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Crazy Rich Asians” is the fourth film this year to top the domestic box office three weekends in a row.
“‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is the summer box office gift that keeps on giving,” Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst with comScore said. “The film provided a truly unexpected boost...
An August surge is thanks partially to “Crazy Rich Asians,” the Warner Bros. romantic comedy that is still doing crazy good business in North America. Jon M. Chu’s film will top the domestic box office for the third week in a row with estimates showing it could make another $27 million to $30 million over Labor Day Weekend. It generated a three-day tally of $22 million in 3,865 locations, dropping just 10% in its third outing and bringing its domestic total to $110 million.
Following “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Black Panther,” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Crazy Rich Asians” is the fourth film this year to top the domestic box office three weekends in a row.
“‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is the summer box office gift that keeps on giving,” Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst with comScore said. “The film provided a truly unexpected boost...
- 9/2/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
If it’s not already reached us, the time is quickly approaching where memories, experiences, and events will be so thoroughly encoded into our gurus and gadgets that entire lives will be accessible at the push of a button. Aneesh Chaganty’s Searching thrives off of this inbound certainty, proving that technology can not only host a complete story, but provide its structure as well. This is not the first time a film’s been told exclusively on the stage of a computer screen, but Searching flips the growing genre on its head. As of now, it’s the best of its kind, but that hardly infers its greatness, especially since its only competition at the moment are two easy-to-forget horror flicks.
Though the young idea of the full-screen motion picture has not yet escaped its tacky feel, Searching excels and is founded on some of entertainment’s oldest and most celebrated pillars.
Though the young idea of the full-screen motion picture has not yet escaped its tacky feel, Searching excels and is founded on some of entertainment’s oldest and most celebrated pillars.
- 8/31/2018
- by Luke Parker
- We Got This Covered
Searching is a high-concept thriller presented with a unique sort of found footage gimmick. The entire film unfolds exclusively on screens: Skype, broadcast TV news shows, Facebook, YouTube videos, Videocast, instant messaging, Google searching, etc. Yes, we’ve seen this before (the Unfriended franchise and Open Windows), but it’s done well here and mostly works as a compelling mystery told through the modern technology and social media devices we use every day.
Searching opens with a series of google calendar entries and videos sadly chronicling the death of a young wife and mom from cancer (shades of the opening of Up). A few years later the dad David (John Cho) and daughter Margot (Michelle La), now 16, enjoy a close relationship, texting each other several times a day and keeping a date to watch The Voice together. Late one night, Margot calls David in the middle of the night, and...
Searching opens with a series of google calendar entries and videos sadly chronicling the death of a young wife and mom from cancer (shades of the opening of Up). A few years later the dad David (John Cho) and daughter Margot (Michelle La), now 16, enjoy a close relationship, texting each other several times a day and keeping a date to watch The Voice together. Late one night, Margot calls David in the middle of the night, and...
- 8/30/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
MGM’s “Operation Finale” opened on Wednesday with $1 million in 1,818 locations.
That’s a promising start for the crime drama, which is aiming for around $10 million over the six-day period. Set after World War II, “Operation Finale” follows Israeli Mossad agents who track down SS officer Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), one of the chief architects of the Holocaust. Oscar Isaac stars as a Mossad agent, while Lior Raz, Melanie Laurent, Nick Kroll, and Joe Alwyn round out the cast.
“Crazy Rich Asians” will likely maintain its reign at the domestic box office through Labor Day Weekend. It pocketed $2.6 million on Wednesday, and estimates show the Warner Bros. romantic comedy could earn another $20 million for the four-day weekend. To date, it has generated $86 million in North America and $93.5 million globally.
Otherwise, the holiday weekend is largely free of high-profile releases. Lionsgate is launching “Kin,” which is set to generate between $5 million...
That’s a promising start for the crime drama, which is aiming for around $10 million over the six-day period. Set after World War II, “Operation Finale” follows Israeli Mossad agents who track down SS officer Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), one of the chief architects of the Holocaust. Oscar Isaac stars as a Mossad agent, while Lior Raz, Melanie Laurent, Nick Kroll, and Joe Alwyn round out the cast.
“Crazy Rich Asians” will likely maintain its reign at the domestic box office through Labor Day Weekend. It pocketed $2.6 million on Wednesday, and estimates show the Warner Bros. romantic comedy could earn another $20 million for the four-day weekend. To date, it has generated $86 million in North America and $93.5 million globally.
Otherwise, the holiday weekend is largely free of high-profile releases. Lionsgate is launching “Kin,” which is set to generate between $5 million...
- 8/30/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Chicago – Face it, fellow modernists, we live on our screens. It was inevitable that entire films would soon be set there, and the latest is “Searching.” Combining the nightmare of a missing teenager with the abilities of social media, cameras and devices, filmmakers Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian “screen it” to the max.
With the actions taking place all on screens, David Kim (John Cho) is a single Dad who is coping with the loss of his wife. His daughter Margot (Michelle La) seems to be a stable teen, until one night she doesn’t check in. Through circumstances, David doesn’t realize she’s missing until the next morning, and is assigned the detached Detective Vick (Debra Messing) when he goes to the police. The inaction of law enforcement frustrates him, so he begins to dig online for any clue to his daughter’s whereabouts. Pixel by digital pixel...
With the actions taking place all on screens, David Kim (John Cho) is a single Dad who is coping with the loss of his wife. His daughter Margot (Michelle La) seems to be a stable teen, until one night she doesn’t check in. Through circumstances, David doesn’t realize she’s missing until the next morning, and is assigned the detached Detective Vick (Debra Messing) when he goes to the police. The inaction of law enforcement frustrates him, so he begins to dig online for any clue to his daughter’s whereabouts. Pixel by digital pixel...
- 8/30/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Since 1997, Searching star John Cho has appeared in a diverse array of film and television (remember when he had the knife-wielding roommate in Felicity?). When he appeared in American Pie as the “Milf guy” he not only popularized the term but gained a reputation for his comedic chops. This paved the road for Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle which gained a rabid following and spawned two sequels. On the surface, the Harold & Kumar franchise may be a stoner comedy, but it was a benchmark for Asian Americans in film with two Asian American male leads (the other being Kal Penn) in a major studio comedy and they were love interests.
Cho has been a quiet trailblazer when it comes to Asian American representation in film and TV, stepping out of the comedy box and proving himself a versatile actor, taking on blockbusters like Star Trek, TV sitcoms like the underrated Selfie,...
Cho has been a quiet trailblazer when it comes to Asian American representation in film and TV, stepping out of the comedy box and proving himself a versatile actor, taking on blockbusters like Star Trek, TV sitcoms like the underrated Selfie,...
- 8/29/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
As the advances in technology go from strength to strength filmmakers are taking the opportunity to create movies through the eye of a computer screen; a trend which is becoming a lot more common. Mostly used to instill terror and violence in the bloodthirsty or supernatural form – most recently in the form of Unfriended – Aneesh Chaganty’s Searching plays on a more realistic theme. Raising the question of how well do we actually know our own children? And most importantly how safe are they on the dark world wide web and its social platforms?
Related: Kidnap in the Age of Instagram – John Cho, Debra Messing & more on new thriller Searching
Widower, David Kim (John Cho) is raising his teenage daughter Margot (Michelle La) alone, but like most teenage/parent relationships there is a slight tension between the pair. Having last seen his daughter via a Facetime call in which she...
Related: Kidnap in the Age of Instagram – John Cho, Debra Messing & more on new thriller Searching
Widower, David Kim (John Cho) is raising his teenage daughter Margot (Michelle La) alone, but like most teenage/parent relationships there is a slight tension between the pair. Having last seen his daughter via a Facetime call in which she...
- 8/28/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Last week, one of the better films of the summer, and in fact, all of 2018, opened up in limited release. It’s the Sundance Film Festival alum Searching, poised to be another success story from Park City. More than just a strong Sundance flick, it’s a riveting mystery that also executes terrific family dynamics. You could be forgiven for thinking that it’s just another film that has a unique filmmaking style and nothing more. Folks, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Having everything take place on a computer screen is a bold choice, but it’s actually one that enhances the movie. It’s an under the radar gem, ladies and gentlemen. The film is a thriller, one with a well executed high concept, to boot. This is the plot synopsis from IMDb: “After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local...
- 8/27/2018
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
The ubiquity of technology and the inherent paranoia and dangers which come along with it have provided Hollywood with a fecund ground for horror movies and thrillers in particular.
We spoke to the cast and writer/director of this new screen-based missing persons thriller Seaching, told using CCTV, mobile and laptop screens. A sensation at Sundance the film stars John Cho, Will & Grace’s Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La, Dominic Hoffman and Connor McRaith. It was written by Sev Ohanian and the film’s director Aneesh Chaganty.
Searching is released in the UK on the 31st of August, 2018, the wonderful DaniElle DeLaite is our interviewer – here’s how she got on looking for answers with the cast of Searching.
Searching Cast Interviews
Plot:
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours...
We spoke to the cast and writer/director of this new screen-based missing persons thriller Seaching, told using CCTV, mobile and laptop screens. A sensation at Sundance the film stars John Cho, Will & Grace’s Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La, Dominic Hoffman and Connor McRaith. It was written by Sev Ohanian and the film’s director Aneesh Chaganty.
Searching is released in the UK on the 31st of August, 2018, the wonderful DaniElle DeLaite is our interviewer – here’s how she got on looking for answers with the cast of Searching.
Searching Cast Interviews
Plot:
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours...
- 8/27/2018
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
“Crazy Rich Asians” had a crazy good second weekend at the box office.
Warner Bros. acclaimed romantic comedy generated another $25 million in 3,526 locations, meaning it made almost as much during its second outing as it did its first weekend. Jon M. Chu’s movie, which has been lauded as the first studio film in over 25 years with a predominately Asian-American cast, dropped just 6% — marking one of the best holds in recent history for a wide release in any genre. Saturday’s numbers dropped an unprecedented 0%. In two weeks, its domestic total sits at $76.8 million.
“Every now and then, all the stars align, and this is what happened here,” Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribution, said. “The word of mouth has just spread.”
“Crazy Rich Asians” easily fended off Melissa McCarthy’s “The Happytime Murders.” The black comedy opened in third place with a lackluster $10 million in 3,256 locations. That...
Warner Bros. acclaimed romantic comedy generated another $25 million in 3,526 locations, meaning it made almost as much during its second outing as it did its first weekend. Jon M. Chu’s movie, which has been lauded as the first studio film in over 25 years with a predominately Asian-American cast, dropped just 6% — marking one of the best holds in recent history for a wide release in any genre. Saturday’s numbers dropped an unprecedented 0%. In two weeks, its domestic total sits at $76.8 million.
“Every now and then, all the stars align, and this is what happened here,” Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribution, said. “The word of mouth has just spread.”
“Crazy Rich Asians” easily fended off Melissa McCarthy’s “The Happytime Murders.” The black comedy opened in third place with a lackluster $10 million in 3,256 locations. That...
- 8/26/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Our chronic dependence on electronic devices and their ubiquitous availability have fully seeped into contemporary narrative: Since the audience navigates their daily conundrums and mundane tasks aided by screens, so do many characters in television and film. Today it’s not rare to see a text bubble pop up in a movie to let us in on a conversation happening via instant messages or for a Skype call to be a relevant plot point.
In first-time director Aneesh Chaganty’s groundbreaking digital mystery “Searching,” however, this practice is maximized to previously untapped extremes. Computer interfaces stop being a storytelling accessory; instead, they offer the entire field of vision. The silver screen mirrors the leading man’s desktop — and later all other gadgets used during his mission — as if connected via Hdmi cable.
Saturated green pastures and an idyllic blue sky in the opening shot announce we are in the Bliss...
In first-time director Aneesh Chaganty’s groundbreaking digital mystery “Searching,” however, this practice is maximized to previously untapped extremes. Computer interfaces stop being a storytelling accessory; instead, they offer the entire field of vision. The silver screen mirrors the leading man’s desktop — and later all other gadgets used during his mission — as if connected via Hdmi cable.
Saturated green pastures and an idyllic blue sky in the opening shot announce we are in the Bliss...
- 8/24/2018
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Arriving in theaters this weekend is Aneesh Chaganty’s Searching, which previously enjoyed its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival under the title Search. Starring John Cho, Debra Messing, and Michelle La, Searching is centered on a missing teen named Margot (La) and her father (Cho), who is desperate to be reunited with his daughter. A local detective named Rosemary Vick (Messing) heads up the search for Margot, but as the pieces of Searching’s puzzle fall into place, what really happened to the teenager may be just as unexpected as the revelations about what she’s been up to without her dad even noticing.
Daily Dead recently had the opportunity to attend the press day for Searching, where we chatted with Chaganty, Cho, and Messing about their involvement in the innovative project, how they handled the challenges of shooting the film (which exists solely through the screens of...
Daily Dead recently had the opportunity to attend the press day for Searching, where we chatted with Chaganty, Cho, and Messing about their involvement in the innovative project, how they handled the challenges of shooting the film (which exists solely through the screens of...
- 8/23/2018
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Buzzy Asian-American-led films like Warner Bros. “Crazy Rich Asians” and Netflix’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” are causing fans worldwide to celebrate what Hollywood is calling #AsianAugust. Next up to bat: Aneesh Chaganty’s “Searching,” a thriller starring John Cho as the father of a missing teenager.
“Searching” tells the story of 16-year-old Margot’s (Michelle La) disappearance and its aftermath through computer and phone screens. The Sony Screen Gems project has garnered attention both for its technological production style and for its Asian-American leads.
Here, Chaganty chats with Variety about using cyberspace as a filmmaking landscape and catapulting more Asian-American stories to the big screen. “Searching” hits selected theaters Friday.
This film is rooted in screens. What is it about cyberspace that lends itself to movies today?
The reality is that we all live our lives on screens, and Hollywood, I don’t think, has...
“Searching” tells the story of 16-year-old Margot’s (Michelle La) disappearance and its aftermath through computer and phone screens. The Sony Screen Gems project has garnered attention both for its technological production style and for its Asian-American leads.
Here, Chaganty chats with Variety about using cyberspace as a filmmaking landscape and catapulting more Asian-American stories to the big screen. “Searching” hits selected theaters Friday.
This film is rooted in screens. What is it about cyberspace that lends itself to movies today?
The reality is that we all live our lives on screens, and Hollywood, I don’t think, has...
- 8/22/2018
- by Christi Carras
- Variety Film + TV
#GoldOpens for everyone!
Supporters around the world banded together to buy out screenings of “Crazy Rich Asians” as part of the #GoldOpen campaign on social media, and now the rom-com blockbuster’s director, Jon M. Chu, and star, Henry Golding, are returning the favor for another upcoming film spotlighting Asian-Americans.
Chu and Golding showed their support for Aneesh Chaganty’s new thriller, “Searching,” Wednesday on social media by announcing they had each bought out a theater screening the film during its opening weekend. The film stars “Star Trek” alumnus John Cho as the father of a missing teenager, played by Michelle La.
“Me and @jonmchu were at the theatre surprising audience members, but had to stop off at a @johnthecho poster for @searchingmovie,” Golding posted on Instagram, along with a photo of him replicating the “Searching” poster. “We both decided to buy out a cinema when it comes out and...
Supporters around the world banded together to buy out screenings of “Crazy Rich Asians” as part of the #GoldOpen campaign on social media, and now the rom-com blockbuster’s director, Jon M. Chu, and star, Henry Golding, are returning the favor for another upcoming film spotlighting Asian-Americans.
Chu and Golding showed their support for Aneesh Chaganty’s new thriller, “Searching,” Wednesday on social media by announcing they had each bought out a theater screening the film during its opening weekend. The film stars “Star Trek” alumnus John Cho as the father of a missing teenager, played by Michelle La.
“Me and @jonmchu were at the theatre surprising audience members, but had to stop off at a @johnthecho poster for @searchingmovie,” Golding posted on Instagram, along with a photo of him replicating the “Searching” poster. “We both decided to buy out a cinema when it comes out and...
- 8/22/2018
- by Christi Carras
- Variety Film + TV
Solving the case of a missing teen solely through the latest technology. It sounds like a gimmick that’s impossible to sustain over 90-plus minutes (remember 2015’s Unfriended?). But director Aneesh Chaganty, in an exceptional feature debut, does the impossible, building a high-voltage, white-knuckle thriller told almost exclusively through smartphones, laptop screens, browser windows and surveillance footage.
John Cho (yup, Kumar’s buddy Harold) excels as David Kim, a widower living in San Jose, California, whose 16-year-old daughter Margot (Michelle La) hasn’t come home or answered his texts. Has she been catfished,...
John Cho (yup, Kumar’s buddy Harold) excels as David Kim, a widower living in San Jose, California, whose 16-year-old daughter Margot (Michelle La) hasn’t come home or answered his texts. Has she been catfished,...
- 8/22/2018
- by Peter Travers
- Rollingstone.com
The box office has been surprisingly strong this August, and now it’s up to Melissa McCarthy and a gaggle of raunchy puppets to keep the momentum going.
That’s the hope, as “The Happytime Murders” aims for a mid-teens opening when the black comedy launches across 3,224 locations this weekend. Analysts are comparing the result to Seth Rogen’s bawdy R-rated animated comedy “Sausage Party.” Rogen’s film became a massive box office hit, picking up $140 million off a $19 million production budget. “The Happytime Murders,” however, carries double the price tag, at $40 million.
“The Happytime Murders” is set in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles — a world where humans and puppets coexist — as McCarthy’s character, an Lapd detective, re-teams with her former puppet partner to solve a series of brutal murders. [Cue “SNL’s” Stefon voice] This movie has everything: Sex, offensive puppet jokes, murder, Melissa McCarthy snorting something through Twizzlers… At last, we...
That’s the hope, as “The Happytime Murders” aims for a mid-teens opening when the black comedy launches across 3,224 locations this weekend. Analysts are comparing the result to Seth Rogen’s bawdy R-rated animated comedy “Sausage Party.” Rogen’s film became a massive box office hit, picking up $140 million off a $19 million production budget. “The Happytime Murders,” however, carries double the price tag, at $40 million.
“The Happytime Murders” is set in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles — a world where humans and puppets coexist — as McCarthy’s character, an Lapd detective, re-teams with her former puppet partner to solve a series of brutal murders. [Cue “SNL’s” Stefon voice] This movie has everything: Sex, offensive puppet jokes, murder, Melissa McCarthy snorting something through Twizzlers… At last, we...
- 8/22/2018
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Searching director Aneesh Chaganty has selected five burgeoning filmmakers who will get a chance to see their short films come to life on the big screen via his YouTube Space Director’s Lab.
Participants are Sarah Rotella and Adriana Dilonardo from Unsolicited Project, Tony E. Valenzuela from BlackBoxTV, Shae-Lee Shackleford from SketchShe, Tim Hautekiet from TimH Films, and Mikey Murphy from Mikey Murphy. Each original short, which can be viewed here, will also be screened ahead of a special showing of Searching this Thursday in Los Angeles and the winner will be announced by Chaganty. The winning short will play ahead of Searching in select theaters starting the next day.
27-year-old Chaganty, who landed a spot on Google Creative Lab Five team after releasing a Google Glass short titled Seeds, served as a mentor to the participants.
“I’m honored to have hosted this workshop and to be part...
Participants are Sarah Rotella and Adriana Dilonardo from Unsolicited Project, Tony E. Valenzuela from BlackBoxTV, Shae-Lee Shackleford from SketchShe, Tim Hautekiet from TimH Films, and Mikey Murphy from Mikey Murphy. Each original short, which can be viewed here, will also be screened ahead of a special showing of Searching this Thursday in Los Angeles and the winner will be announced by Chaganty. The winning short will play ahead of Searching in select theaters starting the next day.
27-year-old Chaganty, who landed a spot on Google Creative Lab Five team after releasing a Google Glass short titled Seeds, served as a mentor to the participants.
“I’m honored to have hosted this workshop and to be part...
- 8/20/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
We've been excited for Daily Dead readers to see Aneesh Chaganty's new movie Searching since Heather Wixson called it an "innovative, gripping, and tension-fueled thriller" in her four-star review. Told entirely through electronic devices such as laptops, iPhones, and security camera footage, Searching looks to be an immersive experience for viewers, and now Sony Pictures has launched a new interactive mobile website that takes you into the world of the film ahead of its theatrical release.
If you visit FindMargot.com (I would recommend doing it on your phone for the most immersive experience), you can experience a unique mobile website that replicates the phone of David Kim (John Cho), whose teenage daughter (Michelle La) goes missing in Chaganty's new film.
The mobile website is a truly immersive experience, allowing you to listen to David's voicemails, read his emails, look at his previously recorded videos, and even receive faux text messages.
If you visit FindMargot.com (I would recommend doing it on your phone for the most immersive experience), you can experience a unique mobile website that replicates the phone of David Kim (John Cho), whose teenage daughter (Michelle La) goes missing in Chaganty's new film.
The mobile website is a truly immersive experience, allowing you to listen to David's voicemails, read his emails, look at his previously recorded videos, and even receive faux text messages.
- 8/15/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Sony Pictures UK has released a brand new trailer for Searching starring John Cho. Keeping with the theme of the film the trailer doesn’t come readily available via Youtube but on a social platform of your choice.
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty who also co-wrote the script alongside Sev Ohanian, the films stars Debra Messing (Will and Grace), with Joseph Lee and Michelle La in the cast with Cho.
Also in trailers – First trailer arrives for If Beale Street Could Talk from Moonlight’s Barry Jenkins
The film is out in UK cinemas August 31
Searching Official Synopsis
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop.
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty who also co-wrote the script alongside Sev Ohanian, the films stars Debra Messing (Will and Grace), with Joseph Lee and Michelle La in the cast with Cho.
Also in trailers – First trailer arrives for If Beale Street Could Talk from Moonlight’s Barry Jenkins
The film is out in UK cinemas August 31
Searching Official Synopsis
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop.
- 8/7/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sony Pictures has released the first poster and trailer for Searching, a new thriller directed by Aneesh Chaganty, and starring John Cho as man searching for his missing teenage daughter, using her laptop as his only lead in her online and offline life.
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must trace his daughter’s digital footprints before she disappears forever.
Searching, which also stars Debra Messing, Joseph Lee and Michelle La, is set for release in the UK on August 31st (almost a month behind the Us!
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must trace his daughter’s digital footprints before she disappears forever.
Searching, which also stars Debra Messing, Joseph Lee and Michelle La, is set for release in the UK on August 31st (almost a month behind the Us!
- 5/22/2018
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The trailer that dropped for Searching starring John Cho (Sleepy Hollow) unpacks how easy it is to track our every digital move. Keep reading for a look at the trailer and more on the film's synopsis and summer theatrical release.
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty from a screenplay by Chaganty and Sev Ohanian, Searching stars John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, and Michelle La. Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Searching in theaters this August.
Synopsis: "After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must trace his daughter’s digital footprints before she disappears forever.
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty from a screenplay by Chaganty and Sev Ohanian, Searching stars John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, and Michelle La. Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Searching in theaters this August.
Synopsis: "After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must trace his daughter’s digital footprints before she disappears forever.
- 5/17/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
What would you do if your daughter mysteriously disappeared? Watch John Cho’s mission to find his missing daughter in the new international trailer for Searching.
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty who also co-wrote the script alongside Sev Ohanian, the films stars Debra Messing (Will and Grace), with Joseph Lee and Michelle La in the cast with Cho.
Also in trailers – Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista star in trailer for Escape Plan 2
The film is released on August 31.
Searching Official Synopsis
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must...
Directed by Aneesh Chaganty who also co-wrote the script alongside Sev Ohanian, the films stars Debra Messing (Will and Grace), with Joseph Lee and Michelle La in the cast with Cho.
Also in trailers – Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista star in trailer for Escape Plan 2
The film is released on August 31.
Searching Official Synopsis
After David Kim (John Cho)’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case. But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop. In a hyper-modern thriller told via the technology devices we use every day to communicate, David must...
- 5/17/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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